Before embarking upon your trip to the Land of Smiles, get a grasp on getting from A to B. Arriving in any new country can be confusing and disorientating, but without research on transport systems, you risk missing out on getting the best value for money from your travels.
Fret not, fellow traveller, as here is a comprehensive guide on the ins and outs of getting…well, in and out (and all about!) during your trip to Thailand.
Thailand transportation guide and tips
- Travelling in Thailand – Best apps to download
- Get a taxi or trusted driver with Grab
- Use the BTS Skytrain app in Bangkok
- Take the subway in Bangkok with the MRT app
- Find your train or bus with Traveloka
- Rent a car from its owner with Drivemate
- Getting around Thailand the old school way
- Songthaew (covered pick-up trucks)
- Get on a famous tuk-tuk
Best apps to download for travelling in Thailand
It is so much easier getting around Thailand than it used to be. Handy apps mean you can hail a Grab in Bangkok without worrying about being ripped off or taken for a “ride” as part of a scam.
The BTS and MRT make an easy, breezy (the carriages are notoriously freezing) way to get from one part of Bangkok to the other without having to sit in heavy traffic.And there are a handful of other apps that make planning your travel schedule simpler than ever.
READ MORE: The best time to visit Thailand
1. Grab a cab!
If you’re not from Southeast Asia, you might be more familiar with Uber, but Uber left this market in 2018, and their operations were purchased by their Singapore-based rival, Grab.
Download the Grab app and get a lift within minutes from trusted drivers. You don’t even need cash as you can simply pay through the app.
While super convenient in Thailand’s cities, with many drivers and short wait times, it is not as dependable as you venture outward. In fact, if you end up in Koh Samui or Chiang Mai, you will find Navigo is a better alternative as Grab has a little-to-no presence in these areas.
2. BTS Skytrain sightseeing
Bangkok has an efficient, elevated rapid transport train system that can get you pretty much anywhere in the city and its suburbs.
If you plan to use BTS Skytrain, then this app will be your best friend. When you download the app, it will be in Thai with smatterings of English, but in four intuitive taps, you can easily switch it to English.
Then, simply choose your origin and destination on the route map, and it will show you when and where to get your train.The fare calculator lets you see how much it will cost so you can be sure you have the cash you need before you board.
READ MORE: The best ways to go to Thailand
3. Bangkok MRT app gets you there
Similar to the BTS, the app for Bangkok’s Metro system provides train times and fares and shows you some exciting places to shop and eat near your station.
It is definitely an essential app if you are travelling on the city’s underground system. The app is available on iOS and Android.
4. Traveloka like a local
Thailand is a relatively large country, and many of its most popular cities, beaches and landmarks are quite far apart. If you are based in Bangkok and want to visit Chiang Mai (which you should), you’ll get there in 11 hours by train or 18 hours by bus.
The much faster way of getting around Thailand is, of course, to fly. Flying typically costs more (though the country’s low-cost airlines often offer promotions that cost around the same as bus or train), but with Traveloka, you can make sure you are getting the very best deals within Thailand.
The app lets you get your tickets sent right to your phone for ultimate convenience and speed. You can also earn discounts on car rentals, hotels and more.If you need to book a combination of trains and ferries, another useful app is 12GO (available on both iOS and Android).
READ MORE: What not to do in Thailand
5. Drivemate and see more
If you are a confident driver and would prefer the comfort and flexibility that having a car grants, then why not rent one for your travels? Drivemate is like Airbnb for vehicles, allowing you to rent directly from the owner, and operates throughout the country.
Alternatively, most of the well-known and well-trusted hire companies (Hertz, Avis, Europcar) operate within the Kingdom too. Something to keep in mind is that Thailand, like the UK, drives on the left side of the road.
You could also rent a scooter, which is a great way to navigate the narrow streets of Thailand’s islands or Chiang Mai’s old city. However, you must have an international drivers licence, even if the rental company doesn’t have this in their terms.Without one, you could get in trouble if you happen to be pulled over by the police, and you won’t be covered by insurance if you have an accident.
Go old school – The best way to travel Thailand
Apps can certainly make getting around Thailand easier to navigate, but you can still find your way without data or WiFi without too much hassle.
Finding taxis in Thailand is no trouble, especially around tourist areas and commerce sectors, and they can be a useful way of getting from A to B in a city you don’t know.Your hotel will also be happy to organise one for you, and they can sometimes get you a better price with a company through referral deals.
READ MORE: Thailand trip cost – How much to budget for your trip to Thailand
Songthaew – best way to travel Thailand like a local
An often cheaper alternative to the classic taxi is a songthaew. You can flag down these covered pickup trucks with benches in the back on the street when you need a ride. Some may have their route posted on the top, while others may be colour coded, so make sure you confirm your intended destination with your driver. Sit in the back of the vehicle and hit the buzzer when you need to get off. Prices are fixed for distances travelled, and you pay when you alight the songthaew, but clarify the price before taking the lift, or you may get stung.
The BTS stations all have useful maps and signs with numbered and colour-coded routes which will make it easy to get where you need to go.If all else fails, asking another tourist or passenger if you’re on the right side of the track shouldn’t be a big issue if you are clear and respectful.
Thailand transportation – Let a tuk-tuk take you there
A huge part of the experience of transport in Thai cities comes from the motorised rickshaws for which the country is famous, tuk-tuks. There are currently about 20,000 registered tuk-tuk taxis in Thailand.
More than just a form of local transport, a tuk-tuk is a Thailand cultural staple. The charming little vehicles can go a long way towards completing the Thailand experience that we have all seen in movies and TV.
Dancing in and out of traffic can be a blast, but proceed with caution: agree on a price before you hop in — tuk-tuks are a notoriously (and surprisingly) expensive way of getting around Thailand since they have become known as tourist transport.
Tourists are often seen as being easy targets for price gouging. If you do get into a dispute, stay assertive but keep a cool head and heart (jai yen, in Thai). You are much more likely to get somewhere by being non-confrontational — a prominent feature of Thai culture.
Transport can whisk you away to Thailand’s most picturesque places. Just don’t forget to look out the window as you travel, and remember that the journey can be just as incredible as the destination.
Don’t miss out on our Ultimate Thailand Travel Guide for tips on
everything you need to know when planning your trip to Thailand
so you can make the most of your time in the Land of Smiles!
